MegLovin' Monday

This week I am MegLovin' on....

Anne from Outrunning the Fork!

Anne and I got to know each other through social media and Running for Rescues, we ended up running one or two races 'together' as in we were both there but never got to meet up.

It took 1800+ miles and a little Disney Magic to finally meet! This woman is so kick-ass awesome!!! 

I love her and I know you will too!

Virtual runDisney Blog Hop: Disney's Princess Half Marathon

So.

You're sitting here thinking. I love Disney... I love shiny things... I ran the mile in middle school. Plus your pretty confident in who you are.

I can run the Disney Princess Half Marathon... what's 13.1 miles?


Guess what. YOU ARE COMPLETELY RIGHT!

YOU CAN.

But before you have a panic attack and go into battle mode just to register there are a couple of things you should know. Now I am no expert but I will say I followed some certain rules and guidelines and had the most amazing time because of that.


1. Train. Train. Train. And train some more.
Give yourself PLENTY of time to get your mileage up. Find a training plan that works with your body and your schedule, both work and the date of your half. This could be Hal Higdeon, Jeff Galloway or your own made up routine. OH! and train with hills if you can. By training in harder conditions then the race you will feel like you are flying.

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2. Do your research.
When courses are posted, print them out and stick them on the treadmill or stare at them long enough to visual them while out on the pavement, giving yourself milestones help big time. I remember when I got to mile 6 in my training runs I visualized myself running through the Magic Kingdom. It even makes me smile now.

3. Don't feel silly by dressing in costume.
You are listening to someone who said "I will never dress in costume for a race". I quote myself on that. When I got to the Minnie and Mickey Mouse Royal Family 5k I felt out of place by wearing just a shirt from Germany. This year I plan on Cinderella-ing myself out for all 3 races during PHM weekend.

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4. Join in on all the boards, hashtags and meet-ups you can.
Meeting others is the best part of runDisney races. Period. End of story. 

5. Stop for character photos.
Yes there are the Balloon ladies, yes there is a 16 minute mile pace you need to be aware of. But please, promise me, promise yourself if you see a character you have been dying to see, stop, take a photo. You will be so happy you did.

6. Rest.
Not only during your training but while you're at WDW as well. Take it easy in the parks and pick the proper footwear.

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7. Fuel consistent.
You trained with certain foods, remember those are your friends. Of course a pint of Strongbow and Fish and Chips might be your go to EPCOT meal, but do everyone including your stomach a favor and wait for AFTER the race to indulge. It'll taste so much better when it stays down, and well in. If you know what I mean...



8. Be approachable.
As nervous as you might be, smiling at everyone you meet during race weekend will improve your experience and you might actually learn a tip or two. That was how I spent my time in the line for the expo and in my corral. Plus you never know what kind of friendships might be born from a simple hello.

9. FOR GOODNESS SAKE CALM THE F DOWN.
Women are insane. I include myself in that statement. But really. I am losing my patience with this. At last years expo, yes there were serious issues, but did the volunteers deserve the verbal lashing they received from some 'princesses'....NO. Please, remember to thank those who are helping. Volunteers are there because they love the atmosphere, the runners, the excitement, stop treating them like crap. You will enjoy your time the kinder you are. Plus a woman was shit talking a 'walker' (not the Walking Dead kind) during the actual half and not a moment later she face planted into the pavement near the Grand Floridian. Karma hits fast in a half marathon, everyone has their own journey, help them, don't hurt them. You are not better than one other single person running. (Except maybe that woman.)

10. Take it all in.
Whether it's your first or your fiftieth half marathon, take pictures, save some keepsakes, make a scrapbook when you get home, make friends, ENJOY the actual race. You get to see some parts of Disney that people would kill to see. I don't care if there is a large garbage can I'm running by if I'm running behind the scenes. Oh and wear your medal proudly. You deserve it. 

What I love most about Disney races are the WIDE array of women that are running. Don't think stick thin Olympic bronze medalists, think the woman next door, the one with a corner office, the one with 5 kids at home, the one who takes care of her aging parents. They are all there for one thing, to push themselves. Don't forget this moment is for you, for no one else. Never allow anything to take that away from you.

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Hope to see you all out there and keep hopping along!

MegLovin' Monday

And I'm Back!

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I needed to relax a little and take some time off. I am so so sorry! This holiday has been more than I could have anticipated.

So to get back to regularly scheduled posts here is the first MegLovin' Monday of 2014!

I met this gorgeous bubbly gal through twitter and by 2 strokes of luck we both got into the Wine and Dine Meet Up. She is beautiful inside and out and is someone I consider myself lucky to have met.

Show some MegLovin' to Adrienne blogging over at Running of Adge!

MegLovin' Monday

This week I am MegLovin' on....

Lesley from A Runner's Shenanigans

Lesley is awesome for more that one reason. I love that she is a supporter of Running For Rescues as she signed up for the Run Your Tail Off Virtual I am sponsoring. She also is a HUGE Disney fan as well as an avid runner.

Truthfully I get so giddy when I find other runners who have the same things in common. Stop on by Lesley's blog and you'll definitely find a friend. :) 

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MegLovin' Monday

This Monday I am giving another double dose of MegLovin' on....

Pam and Christine over at We Run Disney!

I can't even go into how adorable the two of them are! Just look through their photos and you will know what I am talking about! They are a mother-daughter team running to Disney and beyond. In fact this weekend Christine will be running her first marathon...the Marine Corps Marathon! BIG BIG HUGS to her and good luck thoughts! Those in the runDisney circle know how sweet these two are AND that they are the real deal. 

In honor of their last runDisney costume...

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MegLovin' Monday

This week I am MegLovin' on.....

Erin at For the Love of Disney Running...

Erin writes one of the first Disney running blogs I ever read. Erin is so passionate and positive about Disney and about running it can't help but make you feel the same way. She always get in the Disney mood by dressing up for her runDisney races and sometimes if you are lucky she will put photos up of color runs she does for training. 

Check Erin out, you won't be disappointed she has the runDisney bug!

MegLovin' Monday

So I sat here thinking about who I've MegLovin'd on....and I realized I hadn't shown any love to one of the coolest, cutting edge, positive, supporting women out here....

Patty over at Margaritas, Miles and The Mouse

Patty always has something interesting to say and I can completely give her credit for peaking my interest in going to Grad school. She put a job posting from Disney on her Facebook page the other day and I realized I'll never have the qualifications necessary to do what I want to do without the schooling. So, THANK YOU Patty for kicking my ass in gear haha!

Seriously though, Probably my 3 favorite things are in the title of her blog....

Margaritas

Miles (running)

The Mouse (Mickey himself!)

Check her out and you'll always know what is going on in Disney AND you'll get a good laugh or two, she is very funny :)

MegLovin' Monday

This week I am MegLovin' on Lauren from Lauren's Glass Slipper.

Lauren is an avid runner and Disney lover! She is on an amazing and inspiring journey running the Alamo 13.1 in a few months but more excitingly the Tower of Terror 10 Miler this weekend! She's beautiful inside and out and is one of my favorite blogs to follow.

Visit her blog. She is making her dreams come true!

MegLovin' Monday

Hey heyyyy!

This week I am MegLovin' on.....

April over at Run The Great Wide Somewhere!!

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I cannot remember how I found April's blog but I can remember immediately connecting with what she was writing about. I love her honesty and positive outlook as well as her enthusiasm for running. She is a genuine, kind soul. I do tend to laugh at some of what she writes because she is able to add humor into otherwise humorless situations.

Please check her out! You will love her!!

MegLovin' Monday

This week on MegLovin' Monday I am MegLovin' on.....

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JEN FROM HELLO FITNESS....WE MEET AGAIN!

Jen has one of my favorite blogs to follow. She posts delicious recipes for you to try, is of course a runDisney Addict, has an adorable furry son named Guinness and she is enthusiastic and dedicated to running! I look to her for tips on gear and truthfully I am in love with her Lilo costume choice of this years Dumbo Double Dare Challenge! You won't be disappointed if you follow her blog!

Check her out!!!

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If you've missed any of the past weeks:

Samantha at A Dream is a Wish Your Hearts Makes

Karen at Losing the Glass Slippers

Kristy at KristyRunsKato

Meranda and Lacey at Fairytales and Fitness

MegLovin' Monday

Today I'm giving you a double dose of MegLovin' in the form of sisters!

 I am MegLovin' on Lacey and Meranda over at Fairytales and Fitness !

They are an active pair who not only love running....AND Disney....BUT they love puppies too! (obviously every age dog is a puppy) So that should be reason enough for you to check out their blog!

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(How could I not, this is such a great dog lovers movie)

MegLovin' Monday

Okay....so I've slacked. BIG TIME. Not only with MegLovin' Monday but with posts in general. I apologize. I haven't had much to say in the last week. And I know this sounds ridiculous but this was the first thing my doctor said to me last Monday....

"Well, you don't have cancer!" 

I don't mean to be dramatic but I didn't think that was even on the table.... Regardless I will celebrate that news and I promise to post more!




Sooooo. Back to MegLovin' Monday.

The woman I am MegLovin' this week is such an inspiration and is someone who I cannot wait to meet in person come Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2014. She is so positive and bubbly and I am so proud of her as her journey progresses in training for the PHM '14. If you haven't checked her out, you really must. You will not regret spending time reading through her blog. Not only are her pictures amazing but she is as real as they come.

I am talking about Karen at Losing the Glass Slippers.

So go visit her. Really. Like now. I know you have time. 

Meglovin' Monday

Holy hell...Yup. I did it. I just came up with that. Meglovin' Monday. I am actually astonished at myself with the creative genius that just happened. Hold on for a second while I sit in awe of how witty I am..........

Okay. I'm done.

 So the idea of Meglovin' Monday came from this...about 10 minutes ago. I'm just sitting here relaxing after work with a lovely snack. My favorite Crisps (I feel very English when I say that, and I can't ever not say it with an accent).

I was reading my best friends blog post about her virtual runs and how her training is going for our first half marathon together, Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon and I starting thinking...I want others to love her like I do...well maybe not to that same degree but I want them to realize how awesome she is....So pow! Meglovin' Monday arrives. Each Monday I will highlight one blogger and their .com to hopefully spread the love that I have for all the ladies that have helped me get through the last month or so. True #runnerslove for y'all.

Stop by her blog A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes... Her name is Samantha and she is awesome, show her some love and support!

Bottle. Sip. Bottle. Guzzle.

So....a bit of a hiatus happened. I can't really explain it other than post race depression....

I didn't and don't have anything planned until September...I wish I planned June, July and August better. Since beginning to run my entire life has changed...including my favorite season apparently. Summer is where I get rid of my self-diagnosed seasonal depression, but now it seems to be that Fall/Winter is what I am looking forward to.

I began the Wine and Dine training guide this week and ran yesterday, 3 miles (actually 3.20) it was hard but I am so happy. I'm excited to have another Disney race within reach.


September looks like it will be fun though.

Saturday, September 14th Gulf Beach Half Marathon

Saturday, September 28th Hogsback Half Marathon


October is in the air. I think I'd like to do the ING Hartford Half Marathon. Still on the fence though. 

AND THEN NOVEMBERRRRRRR!!!!

Food And Wine Festival Time is my favorite time of year! I am so excited that I get to go back again! 

Also, I am working on getting a give-a-way together for my 1 year RUNIVERSARY! Yes I said that right. My 1 year anniversary of running is August 25. I am working on getting some of my favorite things over the past year together as a give away.

Keep checking back here as well as on my Facebook page for updates! RUNAWAY ROYALTY

"If you're lost and alone or your sinkin' like a stone....carry on."

In all honestly this is how I have felt since my last race, the Cheshire Sea Dog 10k....I don't know why exactly. I guess it could be partly due to having a bit of a health scare this past week or so... My mothers' side of the family does not have the best genes for a girl to have, they're a blast to hang around with, but their genes suck. A lot of cancers...yada yada yada. I know it sounds awful I say it like that but it's true and if you really let it weight you down you will become paralyzed. When I was 20...I had a breast cancer scare and had a lump removed that they could 'neither confirm nor deny' was cancerous...but because breast cancer runs in my family no one wanted to take a chance. Thanks Doc for saying I'd barely notice the scar. Prior to that, about 10 years ago this January, my aunt (rest her soul) passed away from colon cancer. The day before  she was diagnosed with Colon Cancer that spread to her liver, then spread to her lungs my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer. My poor, poor Nana (Irish Grandma). I can't imagine what that woman went through....not 1 but 2 of your children are given death sentences.... I'm actually starting to tear up thinking about it now...

I'm going to side-track you for a moment...well...because this is my blog and a I can... hahaha

This woman, Nana Moran, and my Babchi (Polish Grandma, not pictured) are two women whom I will eternally be indebted to for the way I am. They are inspirational, bad ass, women. Nana Moran was famously quoted in our family as saying "The sights you see when you don't have a gun." (Please don't think badly of her, she was just openly honest.) What makes me laugh is she, for her age, was not one bit racist (and never violent), she didn't care who you were, if you were a bad person she wouldn't like you for that, not your skin color. As stubborn and Irish as she was she had a gut feeling about people. I can't count the number of times I went to her and said "Nanaaaaa, Miguel did this/said this...I'm so angry". She would make me Bagel Bites and hot chocolate (with milk) no matter the time of day and tell me things would work out, that he was a good man. I am devastated that she will not be at my Future (as long as he stops dragging his feet) wedding to this "good man". 

I was always put on "Nana Watch" at family functions which became more and more fun the closer I got to her. You know those small little Dixie cups children use to rinse their mouths out after brushing their teeth. Well I got them for jello shots and didn't use them all, I gave my Nana Dixie cups of Smirnoff Ice at functions and her and I would sit and laugh and talk. I truly didn't realize how much I would cherish those times with her once she was gone....I guess I thought she would be around forever. I hope I have made her proud...

Okay...before I actually start sobbing....back to my rut.

So the health scare...then this past week at work was the LONGEST WEEK OF MY LIFE. 

I did 5 consecutive 12 hour days. I taught lifeguard training plus worked on getting the summer season up and running. Had guards that I was banking on...quit. Unnecessary stress, worth ethic isn't what it used to be. It was just a bad week....thank goodness it is over....I'm only doing 4 days this week (including Sunday) Wednesday is my half day. Thursday and Friday are off <3 Friday I have a 10k in Niantic and then Saturday I have a 5k in Manchester. I am looking forward to both very much. I am hoping that I pulled myself out of this rut...I'm not sure 100% though because my best friend just left to go live in Florida....I already miss her so much but like I have been saying all week...I am very proud of her. She has the guts to go live her dreams and isn't side tracked by anyone. I wish I was more like that.

Okay...so now that I got that off my chest...I hope you could all follow it...I'm sorry if it's a whole lot of rambling....but I will definitely say it explains my Blogger absence. 

QOTD: Have you even fallen into a rut...how did you get out?

"I know every mile will be worth my while."

So as you have noticed I changed the layout a bit. I got kinda tired of the skulls and hearts. And to me Sleeping Beauty is the ultimate "Runaway Royalty" story.  It also happens to be my favorite Disney movie and Princess Aurora is my favorite princess.

I have been trying to play around with the layout/template but I am getting seriously frustrated. I read on another blog, Frugal Beautiful, that you should have a clear definition of what you want your blog to be about, generic templates make it hard for you to get noticed by brands and companies and can make people disinterested. I would love to go down that route where I could be asked to give my opinion on certain products or events. (I do it anyway.) But then reading more about what Shannyn at Frugal Beautiful was talking about you should also make your posts understandable. So that got me thinking...what could help me blog more and get people to think "hey I am interested in what this crazy woman is going to say next". I have come up with daily themes.

Margarita Monday- First of all I loathe Mondays and I worship Margaritas. So each Monday I will have a new margarita recipe to help myself (and hopefully you) forget that Monday begins the work week.

Travel Bug Tuesday- Places where there are running events and other fun things to do around the US.

Walt Disney World Wednesday- Either could be a recap of part of a trip I went on or something new coming up in the Wonderful World Walt created.

Thursday "Furs"day- I will post a puppy (I use that term for every single dog I see no matter the age) that needs a good home. Rescue dogs only. I don't support breeders.

Fashion Friday- With regards to workout clothes. It could be a splurge item or a great bargin that I have found!

Saturday- Under Construction

Sunday Runday- I will update on my week of running

Also...

In my travels to find a race closer and sooner than Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon I have been searching some blogs that I started following. One I am particularly psyched about is this 5 by the 5th idea.  I will admit I didn't really get it at first, but when I asked for more information I was routed to Mommy Run Fast and made more sense of it. You are to run either a 5k or 5 miles by the 5th of each month. You then go to Mommy Run Fast's blog and if you log it in with her there you get entered in a drawing to win some pretty great prizes. I wish I had noticed it early, but I am ready for April! My goal is 5 miles. We will see!